On Plate LXXVI. we are given thirteen examples of
Sacred Trees discovered in the groves of Astarte-Aphrodite
and Tanit-Artemis-Cybele, being clay copies of the
Sacred Trees erected at the entrances to the temples.
As Dr. Ohnefalsch-Richter states, these evidently phallic
symbols undoubtedly played a part in the worship of
the Sun-God Tammuz-Adonis and his bride Astarte-Aphrodite.
Upon Plate LXXVII. we have a cut of an important Phoenician
seal, where we see (1) a man kneeling in adoration
to a Divine Trinity connected with the winged disc
of the sun, and (2) a priest worshipping three symbols.
The three sacred symbols in question are (1) the Ashera
or symbol of the Female Life Principle; (2) the Masseba
or symbol of the Male Life Principle; and (3) a combination
of the Ashera and Masseba symbols representing the
two Life Principles in conjunction.
On Plate LXXIX. we have in figure 14 a representation
both of the Sacred Tree and of the combined Ashera
and Masseba. Over the latter we naturally see
the radiate Sun and Crescent moon in conjunction.
In figure 16 on the same plate are representations
of an Ashera and a Masseba, respectively surmounted
by a Crescent moon and a radiate Sun.
A similar remark applies to figure 17. A sacrificing
priest can be seen in this and the last named instances.
On Plate LXXX. we have in figure 1 a representation
of a holy pillar, the volute capital of which has
on it a Crescent moon within the horns of which is
a disc plainly marked with a cross. This is taken
from an ancient cylinder of Hittite origin.
On the same plate we see in figure 7 a Sun column
from Tyre, upon which we see the Crescent and disc
in conjunction as in the last case, but without the
cross.
On Plate CXVIII. we have in figure 8 a cut of a fine
vase from Melos ornamented with a Svastika cross.
Upon Plate CXXXIII. we have, in figures I to 4, representations
of a sacred Boeotian chest or ark. On the front
are seven Svastika crosses (some of each variety)
and one ordinary cross like our sign of addition.
On the lid we see two serpents surrounded by eight
Svastika crosses (some of each variety) and eight
crosses formed of tau crosses, {image “taucross.gif"};
besides two other crosses.
On the back are eight Svastika crosses (some of each
variety) and eight other crosses.
In figure 6 we have a cut of a chest from Athiaenon
upon which two Svastika crosses will be noticed.
In figure 8 of the same plate is an illustration of
one side of another sacred chest or ark from Athiaenon,
on which two Svastika crosses of the other variety
can be seen.
Upon Plate CLV. we have in figure 9 a cut of an important
Cyprian Graeco-Phoenician Amphora discovered in an
ancient grave at Kition and now stored in the British
Museum. The object represented upon it is a Sacred
Tree marked at the bottom with a St. Andrew’s
cross and surrounded with Svastika crosses.
